Barklori furious as Pinto Wharf expansion set to push out traditional water taxi operators

Traditional boatsmen, or barklori, protested outside the Customs House in Valletta on Thursday to voice their anger on a new jetty that will take over their traditional landing site at Pinto Wharf.

Boatsmen gathered near the jetty with signs saying "RIP dgħajsa tal-pass", "traitors of Maltese tradition" and "workers forgotten by the Labour government".

As they dropped off tourists at the Valletta jetty to start their protest, they began to explain to passersby why they're protesting.

The barklori offer water taxi services across the Grand Harbour and Three Cities, offering a popular tourist service from near the Customs House

The boatsmen offer water taxi services around Malta’s Grand Harbour and the Three Cities, but their services could be at risk.

In a statement from their lawyers Fenech & Fenech advocates, l-Għaqda tal-Barklori said that Infrastructure Malta is set on building a new jetty on their traditional landing site.

According to the statement, Infrastructure Malta started preparatory works for pit holes that they intend to dig up on the wharf.

This disrupted the operations of the barklori, with works initiated with tourists less than a meter away from them.

There is also a barge moored on part of the landing site, blocking access to the jetty where passengers disembark.

(Photo: James Bianchi/mediatoday)

“Infrastructure Malta were quick to take over the landing site of the barklori, however are dragging their feet when it comes to providing a suitable alternative so that the Barklori can continue to work, provide a good service to tourists, and continue to promote Malta’s cultural heritage.”

“The barklori are not going to accept any alternative that in reality is going to result in disruption and end to their service. The barklori want to work.”

They added that entire communities and generations of barklori have invested their energy and personal finances to keep alive the ‘dgħajsa tal-pass’, the traditional water taxi that sees its heritage date back to Hospitaller rule.

“Should the Government maintain its position of riding roughshod over the barklori, not only will it not be honouring its obligation to protect Malta’s cultural heritage, it will be actively taking steps to eradicate it.”

The Għaqda tal-Barklori are making the following demands:

1. The relevant authorities agree to meet around a table to find a solution that makes sense.
2. Until a permanent solution is found, a temporary alternative landing site must be provided that is sufficiently sheltered to allow the barklori to work safely and not endanger passengers or themselves. They say they cannot be exposed to the wake of the nearby harbour ferry every 30 mins.
3. An alternative is immediately provided, which alternative must be given prior to works continuing, this out of respect to the tourists who deserve an experience that is not marred with construction dust and noise, and also out of respect to the barklori who have been there for hundreds of years.
4. The barklori are provided with an agreement in writing, that guarantees them a permanent landing site, which has been agreed to by all parties, that respects Malta’s cultural heritage, their work and their rights.